Michael Hussey’s wonderful century helped Chennai super kings to defeat Mohali Kings eleven in a superb match at PCA ground in Mohali. Chennai IPL defeated Punjab Superkings by 33 runs. Michael Hussey in partnerships with Suresh Raina and Badrinath helped Chennai to reach a mammoth total of 240/5. But Mohali responded in a fighting manner and scored 63 runs in just 6 overs. But they gradually lost wickets in order to increase run rate. Mohali opener James Hopes scored 71 runs in 33 balls with 10 fours and 3 sixers. Yuvraj Singh scored quick fire 23 runs in 13 balls while Sangakkara scored half century in 29 balls but failed to save the match.
Unlike Bangalore match, Both IPL teams entertained weekend crowds with fours and sixers. Only Brett Lee and Muralidharan recorded economy rates below 9 per over. It is complete “Cricketainment” to the Mohali crowds. Only genuine bowlers like Brett Lee and Muralidharan withstood batsman onslaught in T20 cricket. No place for part time bowlers and inexperienced spinners. IPL started in a grand fashion and Indians are gradually adjusting to the City patriotism. IPL is here to stay forever. ICC should change future programme calendar to accommodate Indian Premier League. BCCI should allow IPL teams to include at least 6 players to raise quality of tournament.
Turning point: Fall of James Hopes wicket changed the course of the match. Man of the Match: Michael Hussey (Chennai Superkings).
Toss: Mahendra Singh Dhoni won the toss and elected to bat first.
IPL Cricket Scores:
Chennai Superkings: 240/5 in 20 overs.
Punjab Kings Eleven: 207/4 in 20 overs.
Highlights of Chennai IPL innings:
1. Mathew Hayden and Michael Hussey played comfortably against Brett Lee. Sreesanth disappointed Mohali fans with wayward bowling in the initial overs. Brett Lee bowled a wonderful ball to send Parthiv Patel back to pavilion.
2. Wilkin Mota dropped Hayden (when he is on 11 runs) in the bowling of James Hopes. This is Hope’s first ball in IPL tournament. Irfan Pathan reduced damage by taking Hayden’s wicket in the next over.
3. Dhoni disappointed cricket lovers by scoring just 1 run in 3 balls. Twenty20 cricket always threw surprises.
4. Suresh Raina was named as one of the future cricket stars by Wisden magazine and he was rated very highly by Greg Chappell. He scored some stunning shots in this match. Indian Cricket needs players like him. Coached need to groom players like him.
5. Michael Hussey – Suresh Raina combination stabilized Chennai innings after initial hiccups. They brutally exposed Piyush Chawla in his first over by scoring 19 runs (2 sixers and 1 four). They scored 20 runs in Karan Goel’s next over (2 sixers and 1 four). 39 runs in those 2 overs. Brutal assault. Chennai superkings scored 127 runs in the first 12 overs.
6. Wilkin Mota gave Mohali much needed break by taking the wicket of Suresh Raina. Suresh Raina scored 32 runs in just 13 balls. He is a great fielder and good T20 batsman.
7. Jacob Oram disappointed fans by scoring just 11 runs in 10 balls. Chennai expected McCullum act from Oram.
8. Sreesanth is not a suitable bowler for Twenty20 cricket. Line and Length is crucial in this format. He completely failed to utilize Mohali pitch. Mohali overpaid for this bowler. They paid for his flamboyancy and advertisement needs. Irfan Pathan’s medium pace failed to contain runs. He gave 42 runs in his 4 overs.
9. Michael Hussey gave cricket lesson to those who think that T2O cricket is not real cricket. He beautifully built his innings as he does in tests and one day matches. He is the most reliable batsman in the current international cricket. He scored fastest century in IPL tournament by hitting 100 runs in just 50 balls.
IPL Cricket records:
1. Michael Hussey scored fastest century in Indian Premier League. He scored century in just 50 balls by hitting 7 fours and 8 sixers. He spared no bowler in his magnificent innings. Brendon McCullum scored century in 53 balls yesterday.
2. Chennai Superkings scored highest runs in a single innings. They scored 240 runs in 20 overs.
3. James Hopes gave 25 runs in a single over. An IPL Cricket record.
4. Michael Hussey scored second highest number of sixers in IPL tournament (10 sixers).
5. Both teams crossed 200 mark.
IPL Teams:
Chennai Superkings:
M.S. Dhoni (Captain), Mathew Hayden, Parthiv Patel, Suresh Raina, Michael Hussey, Jacob Oram, S. Badrinath, Manpreet Gony, P. Amaranath, Joginder Sharma and Muttiah muralidharan.
Punjab Kings Eleven:
Yuvraj Singh (Captain), James Hopes, Karan Goel, Simon Katich, Kumara Sangakkara, Irfan Pathan, Brett Lee, Pankaj Dharmani, Sreesanth, Piyush Chawla and Wilkin Mota
Opinion: Chennai superkings emerged as hot favourite to win inaugural Indian Premier League (IPL) T20 tournament after their superb all-round performance in this match.
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